Sealing system for fill pipe head and associated pipe

ABSTRACT

Sealing system for fuel tank fill head comprising:
         a shutter that can be moved between an open position, in which fuel may be introduced into the fill pipe, and a closed position in which the fill pipe is closed, the shutter passing from one position to the other under the effect of a thrust exerted by a filling nozzle head;   a shield placed upstream of the shutter and that can be moved between an open position, in which the shutter is accessible, and a closed position in which the shutter is protected from the atmosphere by the shield; and   a nozzle inhibitor comprising components that can be rotated with respect to an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fill head and designed so as to enable a movement of the shutter from its closed position to its open position when the mobile components have been moved under the effect of a thrust exerted by the filling nozzle head having a predefined diameter on the mobile components.       

     The invention also relates to a fill pipe equipped with such a sealing system.

The present invention relates to a sealing system for a pipe for filling a fuel tank equipped with a device capable of preventing an unsuitable filling nozzle from being introduced into a fill pipe head.

The fill pipes present in fuel tanks, in particular the tanks aboard motor vehicles, are sealed during normal use of the tank, outside the filling periods. The sealing is generally achieved either by means of a cap or by means of a sealing system integrated into the fill pipe, often called a “capless” system.

Improved versions of capless systems generally comprise a shutter and a protective shield. Thanks to the protective shield the shutter is protected and inaccessible. In order to allow access to the fill pipe when filling a tank, the user uses a filling nozzle and brings it into contact with the shield so as to move it to an open position allowing access to the shutter and therefore the filling of the tank itself.

Moreover, fuel tanks are generally intended to contain a single type of fuel, for example diesel or unleaded petrol. So as to avoid filling a tank intended to contain one type of fuel using a nozzle intended for filling with another type of fuel, nozzle inhibitors have been developed.

Nozzle inhibitors based on the fit between the diameter of the filling nozzle and the diameter of the fill pipe are known. Patent EP 1 555 154, for example, discloses a device comprising a shutter, a protective shield and a nozzle inhibitor comprising a ribbed elastic ring equipped with inclined sides which move apart under the effect of the thrust of a filling nozzle. When a large diameter nozzle (generally, this is a nozzle for filling with diesel) is introduced, this nozzle acts on the elastic ring which moves the shield: access to the pipe is then permitted for the filling nozzle. On the other hand, when a small diameter nozzle (generally corresponding to a nozzle intended for filling with petrol) is introduced, the shield is not moved by the elastic ring and introduction of the nozzle is prevented.

The nozzle inhibitor described in Patent EP '154 has the disadvantage of being able to be activated manually so that it is possible to easily get to the shutter without the use of a filling nozzle.

Patent EP 1 284 212 itself describes a sealing system for a fill head comprising a nozzle inhibitor composed of a drive component and a throttling component composed of plates that rotate with respect to an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fill head. The rotating plates are driven by the drive component when this comes into contact with a nozzle head of predefined diameter so that the nozzle does not act directly on the rotating plates. Moreover, the sealing system described in EP '212 does not comprise a protective shield.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sealing system equipped with a simple nozzle inhibitor which only allows access to the shutter under the action of a suitable filling nozzle.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a sealing system for a fuel tank fill head comprising:

-   -   a shutter that can be moved between an open position, in which         fuel may be introduced into a fill pipe, and a closed position         in which the fill pipe is closed, the shutter passing from one         position to the other under the effect of a thrust exerted by a         filling nozzle head;     -   a shield placed upstream of the shutter and that can be moved         between an open position, in which the shutter is accessible,         and a closed position in which the shutter is protected from the         atmosphere by the shield; and     -   a nozzle inhibitor comprising components that can be rotated         with respect to an axis of rotation substantially parallel to         the longitudinal axis of the fill head and designed so as to         enable a movement of the shutter from its closed position to its         open position when the mobile components have been moved under         the effect of a thrust exerted by the filling nozzle head having         a predefined diameter on the mobile components.

The shutter makes it possible to close the fill pipe of a fuel tank. In a “capless” type system, the shutter takes the place of the conventional closure cap screwed onto the pipe head by the user. The opening and closing of the fill pipe are generally respectively controlled by the opening and closing of a fuel trap door, for example by a connecting rod mechanism or by a train of gears and of pinions. A seal is generally joined to the shutter so as to enable leaktight closure of the fuel tank, thus avoiding contamination of the atmosphere by liquid or gaseous fuel.

The fuel trap door can be moved between an open position allowing access to the fill head and a closed position in which it is generally located in the extension of the body.

A protective shield is positioned upstream of the shutter and makes it possible to protect the seal and the mechanics around the shutter from dust or any other contamination, thus ensuring the proper operation of the shield. Within the scope of the invention, the shield generally comprises a plate that can be rotated about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fill head. The shield can be moved between an open position, in which the shutter is accessible, and a closed position in which the shutter is protected from the atmosphere by the shield. In its closed position, the shield prevents the even partial introduction of fuel or of any other liquid (for example a jet of pressurized water in the case of cleaning the vehicle) into the fill pipe.

According to the invention, the shield is different from the fuel trap door and is located underneath this so that the trap door is upstream of the shield.

Also according to the invention, the nozzle inhibitor comprises components that can be rotated with respect to an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fill head and designed so as to enable a movement of the shutter from its closed position to its open position when the mobile components have been moved under the effect of a thrust exerted by the filling nozzle head having a predefined diameter on the mobile components.

Advantageously, the shield is prestressed in its open position by elastic return means, for example a return spring.

According to the invention, the sealing system comprises a nozzle inhibitor which is designed so as to allow movement of the shutter from its closed position to its open position when the nozzle inhibitor comes into contact with a filling nozzle head having a predefined diameter.

The nozzle inhibitor can be rotated with respect to an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fill head.

Advantageously, the nozzle inhibitor is prestressed in its closed position by elastic return means, for example a return spring.

Preferably, the nozzle inhibitor comprises 3 mobile components.

More preferably, the 3 mobile components each have at least one spherical surface portion capable of coming into contact with the filling nozzle head. These may be, for example, balls that can each move about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fill head.

Also preferably, the shield comprises stops on the face oriented towards the mobile components and each mobile component has a raised finger capable of cooperating with one of said stops so as to keep the shield in its closed position.

More preferably, the shield is capable of passing from its closed position to its open position when the stops are released from contact with the fingers of the mobile components under the effect of the force exerted by the filling nozzle head of predefined diameter on the spherical surface portions of the 3 mobile parts.

According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the sealing system also comprises a locking cam positioned between the shield and the nozzle inhibitor that is capable of locking the shield in its closed position.

The locking cam comprises, on the face oriented towards the mobile parts, grooves intended to each cooperate with a finger of one of the mobile parts. The locking cam also comprises, on the face oriented towards the fill pipe, a notch for locking the shield and a notch for driving via the shield.

The locking cam is capable of being entrained by the mobile components of the nozzle inhibitor when these components are moved under the effect of the thrust exerted by the introduction of a filling nozzle head having a predefined diameter. This is because when the mobile components are moved, the fingers of each of the parts cooperate respectively with a groove of the locking cam so as to exert a force on them and therefore move the locking cam. During the movement of the locking cam, the pin for locking the shield is released from the locking notch so as to enable the movement of the shield under the effect of the return spring. Then, during this same movement, the pin for driving the shield comes into contact with the notch on the locking cam and exerts a force on it so as to continue the movement of the locking cam and to drive the mobile parts to a retracted position.

The expression “retracted mobile component” it understood to mean that the mobile component is moved to a disengaged position where it is no longer in contact with the filling nozzle head. Within the context of the invention, when all the mobile components are retracted, they are no longer all in contact with the filling nozzle head.

The invention also aims to cover a fill pipe for fuel tank equipped with a sealing system such as described above.

DESCRIPTION WITH THE AID OF FIGS. 1 TO 36

Other particular aspects and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of a few advantageous embodiments presented below, by way of illustration, with reference to the appended drawings which show:

FIGS. 1 & 2: overviews of the sealing system

FIGS. 3 & 4: exploded bottom and top views of a 1^(st) embodiment

FIGS. 5 & 8: bottom views of the sealing system (locked and unlocked positions)

FIGS. 6-7, 10-11: protective shield, bayonet and ball

FIGS. 9, 12-20: description of the steps for opening a sealing system according to the 1^(st) embodiment

FIG. 21: exploded bottom view of a 2^(nd) embodiment

FIGS. 23-26, 35: protective shield, ball, locking cam

FIGS. 22, 27-34, 36: description of the steps for opening a sealing system according to the 2^(nd) embodiment

A “capless” type sealing system for a pipe head for filling a fuel tank is generally represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such a system comprises a fuel trap door (1), a protective shield (5), a shutter (not shown), a locking mechanism (not shown) and a trap door/locking mechanism (2) connection mechanism comprising a connecting rod. FIG. 1 also shows a nozzle inhibitor comprising mobile balls (7, 10, 13) constrained in a closed position by return springs (not shown). FIG. 2 shows a variant of FIG. 1 according to which the connection mechanism (2′) between the trap door and the locking mechanism consists of a train of gears and pinions. Generally, the opening/closing of the fuel trap door (1) entrains the opening/closing of the shutter. The opening/closing operating mode is known per se and is not described in detail in the present patent application.

The present invention relates to a sealing system similar to that from FIG. 1, comprising a nozzle inhibitor that makes it possible to avoid introducing a filling nozzle that is unsuitable for the type of fuel tank.

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively represent an exploded bottom and top view of a 11^(st) embodiment of the system according to the invention. It comprises 3 balls (7, 10, 13) that can each be moved about an axis (3″) substantially parallel to the axis for introducing a filling nozzle, each axis (3″) being formed by a raised finger on a support (3′). Each ball (7, 10, 13) is kept in a closed position by a return spring (15, 16, 17), the closed position corresponding to the position in which a filling nozzle head can come into contact with the balls (7, 10, 13). The sealing system comprises a shield (5) capable of rotating about an axis that is also substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fill head. The shield (5) is equipped, on the face oriented towards the balls (7, 10, 13) with raised pins (9, 12, 12′) capable of cooperating with the balls (7, 10, 13) and is kept in a closed position by a return spring (19). The shield (5) has, on the face oriented towards the pipe, a ramp (6) able to cooperate with a finger (4) of a bayonet (3) which forms a mechanism for locking both a shutter (not shown) and the shield (5). The shield and the bayonet are also represented separately in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10.

FIGS. 5 and 8 respectively represent the locked and unlocked positions of the system according to the invention. In FIG. 5, the trap door (1) is in the closed position and the connection mechanism (2) keeps the bayonet in the locked position through a connection made on the tab (4′) of the bayonet (3). In this position, the finger (4) cooperates with the ramp (6) of the shield (5) so as to lock this in the closed position. In the unlocked position (FIG. 8), the trap door (1) is in the open position and the connection mechanism (2) has driven the bayonet (3) to its open position in which the finger (4) no longer cooperates with the ramp (6) so that the shield (5) is able to be moved to an open position, allowing a filling nozzle access to the shutter.

FIG. 11 represents one of the balls (7, 10, 13) characterized by a spherical surface portion, capable of coming into contact with a filling nozzle head and equipped with a finger (8, 11, 14).

FIGS. 9 and 12 to 20 represent successive steps for passing from the unlocked and closed position of the shield (5) to the open position, and for returning to the closed and locked position of the shield (5) under the effect of the thrust exerted by the introduction of a nozzle head then withdrawal of said head.

Represented in FIG. 9 are, in the plane of the shield (5), two circles of diameter respectively equal to the diameter of a diesel filling nozzle head (d) and a petrol filling nozzle head (e). The diameter (d) is larger than the diameter of the circle obtained by projecting, in the plane of the shield (5), contact points of the spherical surfaces of the balls (7, 10, 13) with a nozzle head of circular cross section, whereas the diameter (e) is smaller than this same diameter.

In FIG. 12, the shield is in its closed position. It is mounted on a return spring (19), tensed in the closed position and able to pivot about the piercing (18). The balls (7, 10, 13) are mounted on return springs (15, 16, 17) which, when they are not strained, push the balls (7, 10, 13) towards the centre of the filling interior, whereas the fingers (8, 11, 14) of the balls (7, 10, 13) are in contact with the stops (9, 12, 12′) of the shield (5). In this position, the shield (5) cannot open.

When a petrol-type filling nozzle is introduced, the balls (7, 10, 13) are not, or are only slightly, strained, the fingers (8, 11, 14) remain in contact with the stops (9, 12, 12′) of the shield (5), which cannot open.

However, it is possible to move at least one of the balls (7, 10, 13) by means of a petrol-type nozzle.

Thus, in FIG. 13, the ball (10) is moved by the effect of the thrust of the nozzle, the finger (11) is released from the stop (12), the shield (5) cannot however open as the fingers (8, 14) of the balls (7, 13) are still in contact with the stops (9, 12′). The ball (10) returns to its initial position under the effect of the return spring (16). This situation is also valid for either one or other of the balls (7) or (13).

In the case where the nozzle head comes into contact with 2 balls (for example the balls (10) and (13), FIG. 14), the balls (10, 13) are moved under effect of the thrust of the nozzle head, the fingers (11, 14) are released from the stops (12, 12′), the shield (5) cannot however open as the finger (8) of the ball (7) is still in contact with the stop (9). The balls (10, 13) return to their initial position under the effect of the return springs (16, 17). This situation is also valid for the balls (7, 10) or (7, 13).

When a diesel-type nozzle is introduced into the sealing system (FIG. 15), the balls (7, 10, 13) are moved simultaneously, the fingers (8, 11, 14) release the stops (9, 12, 12′) of the shield (5), which is opened under the effect of the return spring (19). FIG. 16 corresponds to the situation at the start of opening, whereas FIG. 17 corresponds to the situation of complete opening.

When the filling nozzle is removed (FIG. 18), the balls (7, 10, 13) return to their initial position under the effect of return springs (15, 16, 17).

When the trap door (1) is reclosed (FIG. 19), the connecting rod mechanism (2) drives the bayonet (3), the finger (4) comes into contact with the ramp (6) of the shield (5) so as to move the shield (5) from its open position to its closed position.

Represented in FIG. 20 is the shield (5) in its locked position. When the trap door (1) is closed, the connecting rod mechanism (2) locks the bayonet (3), the finger (4) is in contact with the ramp (6) and the shield (5) is locked in its closed position.

FIG. 21 shows an exploded view of a 2^(nd) embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention. This embodiment differs from the 1^(st) embodiment by the presence of a locking cam (20) positioned between the balls (7, 10, 13) and the shield (5) and in that the balls (7, 10, 13) can be retracted into a retracted position.

FIG. 22 represents the unlocked position of the sealing system, in which the shield (5) is in a closed and locked position (situation equivalent to that of FIGS. 8, 9, 12).

Unlike the 1^(st) embodiment, the shield (5) as represented in FIG. 23 is not equipped with raised stops on the face oriented towards the balls (7, 10, 13) but it comprises a pin (21) for locking the shield and a pin (22) for driving via the locking cam (20). The shield (5) is mounted on a return spring (19), and pivots about the piercing (18). In the closed position the return spring (19) is tensed. The balls (7, 10, 13) are mounted on return springs (15, 16, 17) which, when they are not strained, push the balls (7, 10, 13) towards the inside. The fingers (8, 11, 14) of the balls (7, 10, 13) are tangent to the sides of the grooves (23, 23′, 2″) of the locking cam (20), the locking pin (21) of the shield (5) is located in a notch (24) of the locking cam (20), so that it cannot be moved to its open position.

FIGS. 25 and 26 represent a top view and a bottom view of the locking cam (20).

When a petrol-type filling nozzle is introduced (FIG. 27), the balls (7, 10, 13) are not, or are only slightly, strained, the fingers (8, 11, 14) have no influence on the rotation of the locking cam (20), the locking pin (21) of the shield (5) remains in the notch (24) of the locking cam (20) so that the shield (5) cannot be moved to its open position.

However, when a petrol-type filling nozzle is introduced, it is possible to slightly move at least one ball (7, 10, 13). This is what is represented in FIG. 28. The ball (7) is moved with the nozzle, the finger (8) slides tangentially over the side of the groove (23) of the locking cam (20), the locking cam (20) pivots slightly, the grooves (23′, 23″) come to rest against the fingers (11, 14) of the respective balls (10, 13), the rotation of the locking cam (20) is therefore stopped, the pin (21) of the shield (5) is still trapped by the notch (24) of the locking cam (20), so that the shield (5) cannot be moved to its open position. The ball (7) returns to its initial position under the effect of the return spring (15). This situation is also valid for either one or other of the balls (10) or (13). This situation is moreover also valid when the nozzle moves two balls since there will always be one stop between a ball finger and a groove of the locking cam (20).

When a diesel-type nozzle is introduced (FIG. 29), this comes into contact with the 3 balls (7, 10, 13) so that these balls are moved by a rotational movement. During the rotation of the balls (7, 10, 13), the fingers (8, 11, 14) slide simultaneously along the grooves (23, 23′, 23″) so as to make the locking cam (20) pivot. The pin (21) of the shield (5) is released from the notch (24) of the locking cam (20) so that the shield (5) can be moved under the thrust of the return spring (19) to its open position.

During this movement (FIG. 30), the pin (22) of the shield (5) comes into contact with one of the sides of the notch (25) of the locking cam (20) so that the pin (22) of the shield (5) drives the locking cam (20) in a rotational movement. The grooves (23, 23′, 23″) of the locking cam (20) drive the fingers (8, 11, 14) of the balls (7, 10, 13) so that these balls are retracted and are no longer all in contact with the diesel nozzle head.

FIGS. 32 and 33 respectively represent an intermediate position of the shield (5) between its open position and its closed position and the unlocked closed position. Specifically, when the trap door (1) is reclosed, it drives, in its movement, through the connecting rod mechanism (2), the rotation of the bayonet (3) to its closed position. The pin (22) of the shield (5), when the shield (5) is moved to its closed position by the movement of the bayonet (3), drives the locking cam (20) in rotation and the grooves (23, 23′, 23″), in contact with the fingers (8, 11, 14), drive these fingers so that the balls (7, 10, 13) gradually return to their initial position. In FIG. 33, the balls (7, 10, 13) and the locking cam have still not returned to their closed position but are in contact with the filling nozzle head.

Under the effect of the return springs (15, 16, 17) (FIG. 34), the fingers (8, 11, 14) of the balls (7, 10, 13) drive the locking cam (20) in rotation via the grooves (23, 23′, 23″), the balls (7, 10, 13) are in their original position, the notch (24) locks the pin (21) of the shield (5).

FIG. 35 presents an improvement provided to the locking cam (20). Specifically, inlet chamfers (26) have been created at the inlet of each groove (23, 23′, 23″). These chamfers act as a definite stop during the movement of one or two balls so that the risk of rotation of the locking cam (20) when one or two balls are moved is eliminated and therefore that the shield cannot be moved to its open position.

In FIG. 36, the ball (10) is moved with the nozzle, the finger (11) slides tangentially over the side of the groove (23′) of the locking cam (20), the locking cam (20) pivots slightly, the stops (26) of the grooves (23, 23″) come into contact on the fingers (8, 14) of the respective balls (7, 13), the rotation of the locking cam (20) is therefore stopped, the pin (21) of the shield (5) is still trapped by the notch (24) of the locking cam (20), the protective shield (5) cannot be moved to its open position. The ball (10) returns to its initial position under the effect of the return spring (16). 

1. A sealing system for fuel tank fill head comprising: a shutter that can be moved between an open position, in which fuel may be introduced into a fill pipe, and a closed position in which the fill pipe is closed, the shutter passing from one position to the other under the effect of a thrust exerted by a filling nozzle head; a shield (5) placed upstream of the shutter and that can be moved between an open position, in which the shutter is accessible, and a closed position in which the shutter is protected from the atmosphere by the shield (5); and a nozzle inhibitor comprising components that can be rotated with respect to an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fill head and designed so as to enable a movement of the shutter from its closed position to its open position when the mobile components have been moved under the effect of a thrust exerted by the filling nozzle head having a predefined diameter on the mobile components.
 2. The sealing system according to the preceding claim, wherein the nozzle inhibitor is prestressed in its closed position by elastic return means (15, 16, 17).
 3. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the shield (5) is prestressed in its open position by elastic return means (19).
 4. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle inhibitor comprises 3 mobile components (7, 10, 13).
 5. The sealing system according to the preceding claim, wherein the 3 mobile components (7, 10, 13) each have at least one spherical surface portion capable of coming into contact with the filling nozzle head.
 6. The sealing system according to claim 4, wherein the shield (5) comprises stops (9, 12, 12′) on the face oriented towards the mobile components (7, 10, 13) and each mobile component (7, 10, 13) has a raised finger (8, 11, 14) capable of cooperating with one of said stops (9, 12, 12′) so as to keep the shield (5) in its closed position.
 7. The sealing system according to the preceding claim, wherein the shield (5) is capable of passing from its closed position to its open position when the stops (9, 12, 12′) are released from contact with the fingers (8, 11, 14) of the mobile components (7, 10, 13) under the effect of the thrust exerted by the filling nozzle head of predefined diameter on the spherical surface portions of the 3 mobile parts (7, 10, 13).
 8. The sealing system according to claim 4, wherein it moreover comprises a locking cam (20) positioned between the shield (5) and the nozzle inhibitor and capable of locking the movement of the shield (5).
 9. The sealing system according to claim 8, wherein the locking cam (20) is capable of being entrained by the mobile components (7, 10, 13) of the nozzle inhibitor so as to enable movement of the shield (5).
 10. A fill pipe for fuel tank equipped with a sealing system according to claim
 1. 